Is the Cost of Tobacco Burning a Hole in Your Pocket? Many people wish they had a little more cash available to have fun, buy nice things, or save for the future. When you use tobacco products, you could be watching that money go up in smoke! The average price for a pack of cigarettes in the U.S. is $8.39. If you smoke one pack of cigarettes per day, that means you are spending:

• $8.39 per day,
• $59 per week,
• $252 per month,
• And $3,062 per year on cigarettes.

Want to know how much you would save by quitting smoking? Check out the savings calculator here and see how much money you can save by going tobacco free.

Other Ways Tobacco Use Can Hit You in the Wallet

The money that comes out of your pocket is only one way that tobacco costs you. Cigarette smoking costs the U.S. more than $600 billion in 2018 due to increased health care spending, lost productivity due to tobacco-related illness, and lost productivity due to premature death. While some of that money comes out of your pocket indirectly through your taxes, it can also come out directly through:

• Missed pay when you can’t work due to tobacco-related illness
• Medical expenses you pay due to tobacco-related illnesses
• Higher health and life insurance premiums tobacco users pay

These costs vary based on where you live but range from $331 per year for a person living in Utah to $1,674 for a person living in Kentucky.

What You Gain from Quitting in Addition to Saving Money

More money in your pocket isn’t the only way that quitting tobacco pays off. A tobacco-free life will also give you:

• Less shortness of breath during physical activity
• Lower risk of stained teeth, cavities, and gum disease
• Reduced feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression
• Lower risk of tobacco-related diseases which can lead to disability and death

Sound like a good deal? There are a lot of resources available to help you live a tobacco-free life. You can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.